Hot-blast ring for furnaces



r Mar. 6, 1923.

- c. RUE.

HOT BLAST RING FOR FURNACES.

FILED JUNE 29.1922.

, the discharge of smoke and unit of fuel, with a Patented Mar. 6, 1923..

CARL nun,

tartan ice.

0F FUND DU LAC, WISCONSIN.

HOT-BLASTJRING FOR FURNACES.

Application fil ed. June 29,

To all who-m it'may concern: v 1

Be it known that I, CARLRUE; a citizenof the United States of America, and resident of F 0nd du, Lac, county of Fond du Lac, State of Wisconsim'have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Hot-Blast Rings for Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hot blast rings for furnaces; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the art involved in the light of the following explanation anddetailed description of the accompanying drawing illustrating what Tat presentconsider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions of which the in vention is capable within thespirit. and scope thereof.

Those familiar with the operation and use of heatingapparatus such as furnaces, and particularly those typesof heating apparas tus in which solid fuel: is burned, are aware of the considerable waste of fuel; and loss of heat encountered in the operation thereof, resulting from the escape of unconsumed I products of combustion in the form .of. smoke and gases, as well as the serious objections and disadvantages resulting from gases byvsuch heating apparatus into. the atmosphere.

This invention is directed to the problem of utilizing the unconsumed products of combustion from theoperation of heating apparatus; and it is one of the niain ob jects of the invention to provide means for causing the combustion and burning of these heretofore wasted products of com-y bustion to increase the heat obtained per corresponding decrease in the amount of fuel required to operate such heating apparatus to produce a given amount of heat.

Afurther object of. the invention is to. provide means .for causing the combustion and burning of the waste products of combustion from the operationof the heating apparatus and to thereby substantially overcome and materially reduce the discharge of the objectionable smoke and gases into; the atmosphere by such heating apparatus.

A further object .of the invention is to provide for the burning and substantial consumption of the gases, and

furnace with a hot blast 1922. Serial No. 571,729.

products such as smoke and gases,

of combustion, resulting from the operation of heating apparatus by the introduction and mixing of air with the smokeand gases at points within the heatng apparatus subjected to the action of the eat generated by the combustion of fuel therein, so that the addition of the air with the smoke and gasesvcauses ignition and combustion thereof with the resulting substantial, consumption. and conversion of the smoke and gases into heat. i y

A further object of the invention is to provide a hot, blast ring and mixing air with the smoke and gases from the combustion of fuel in furnaces and the like heating apparatus, which ring so constructed and arranged that the air is preheated by circulation around and through the ring before introduction into the furnace and mixing With the smoke and a ring in which a proper supply and steady circulation and distribution of air is obtained by the action of the draft of the furnace and the location and distribution of the air ports and passages in the ring.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hot blast ring for furnaces and the like heating apparatus, of novel and improved const'ruction which is readily adapted for application to and operation in connection with various typesof heating apv paratus, and to provide such a combustion ring of simple construction and efiicient operation and results. i r

With the foregoing" and various other objects and results in view, which will be readily apparent to and recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention consists in certain novel-features in constructions and in combination and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully and particularly pointed out. and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a. view in side elevation of a ing embodying the lnvention mounted therein, parts of the furnace being broken away and thecombustion ring shown in-vertical t ansverse section.

Fig. 2is a horizontal transverse section through a hot blast ring of the invention and having the direction, of the air circulation therethrough indicated by arrows.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, diametrical section through a. hot blast ring taken along the for introducing air inlet thereof and showing the relative position of portions of a furnace in dotted lines. p t

The invention is illustrated in. the accompanying drawing as mounted on and operatively connected in a furnace of the hot air type, but it is to be understood that the application and embodiment of the invention as disclosed therein is purely by way of example as illustrative of one form and application of which the invention is capable. It will be clear to those familiar with this artthatthe features of the invention are capable of embodiment in various other forms and adaptations and of application to heating apparatus generally, furnace serving toillustrate and explain the principles and operation of the invention.

In theexample illustrated in the drawing,

a hot blast ring embodying the various features of the invention comprises an annular shell or casing forming the hollow ring-like structure 10 having the inner and outer walls 11 and 12, and the upper and lower walls 13 and 14:, respectively. A radially disposed, outwardly projecting air intake 15, opening into and in communication with the interior of the ring 10, is formed by v the width of the inner spaced outward extensions of the outer wall 12, and the upper and lower walls 13 and 14:. The air inlet 15 in the present instance, being substantially rectangular in cross section, although it is not desired to limit the invention to any particular or form of air intake. The inner wall 11 opposite and in line with the air intake 15' is provided with an elongated opening or discharge 16 extending substantially'across end of the air intake 15, so that a passage is formed through one side of the ring structure 10, from the exterior thereof to and communicating with the central or inner space surrounded by the inner wall 11 of the ring structure.

The interior of the ring 10 is divided into inner and outer concentric annular chambers 17 and 18, by means of an annular web forming a dividing wall 19 connected with and extending between ring walls 13 and'14, concentric with and spaced from the inner and outer side ring walls 11 and 12. The dividing wall 19 is preferably spaced farther from the inner wall 11 of the ring 10, than from the outer wall 12 thereof, so that the outer chamber 18 within the ring is of less width and hence of smaller capacity than the inner ring chamber 17. The dividing wall 19 terminates at and in line with the side walls of the air inlet 15 so that a space, gap or opening is line with and of a width substantially equal to the width of the air inlet, in order to provide a clear and,

uninterrupted passage from the air inlet 15 through the ring and the opening 16 in the joined 7 to a wall 20 which extend walls 20 extend across the illustrated specific shape 23 are preferably the upper and lower a furnace of the hot-air type,

viding wall 19 which terminates at and adjacent the air inlet 15,- is connected and which extends'inwardly across the inner chamber] 17 to the inner wall 11 adjacent an endof the opening 16;

Thus, a pair of spaced walls.20 are provided dividing wall 19 to th'eyinner wall 11 at points adjacent the opposite ends respectively, of the opening 16 therein, and which and close the opposite spacedends of the inner chamber 17 and form side walls defining the passage on extension of the air inlet 15 through the ring 10 (see particularly Fig. '2 of the drawings);

From the foregoing it is apparent'that,

the outer chamber 18 isopen and in communication withthe air inlet 15, and that the spacein the center of the ring 10 surrounded by the'inner wall 11 is in communication'with and opens into "the air inlet 15 through the opening 16 in the wall-11, while the inner ring chamber17 is closed and cut offfrom communication with the air inlet 15 by the walls 20. The inner chamber 17 is placed in communication with and opened to the outer chamber 18 by an elongated opening or port 21 formed through the dividing wall 19 at a point thereindiametrn cally opposite the air inlet15 and the opening 16 in the wall 11. of a length or width substantially equal to the width of the opening-16 through the wall 11at the inner end of theair inlet 15, and is insubstantial alinement'therewith; At opposite sides of the opening 16 adjacent the walls 20, enlarged openings or ports 22, of less area than the ports 16 and 21, are formed and provided through the inner wall 11 in communication with the inner ring chamber 17. A series of spaced air discharge ports 23 are formed through and aroundthe inner'wall 11 between the openings 22, and in communication with the inner ring chamber 17. Thesedischarge ports each of a smaller area than one of the ports 22 throughthe wall 11.

An application of a hot blast ring em-- bodying the invention and'constructed as above described, is illustrated as applied to in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The; furnace illustrated is more or lessdiagrammatically disclosed as indicating generally furnaces of the hot air type, and comprises the usual combustion chamber or dome-30 extending above the fuel which'is burned at the lower end thereof, and a heat radiator or drum from the opposite ends of the 'The port 21 is formed 31 in conunun'ication with the combustion chamber 30.- The heatradiator or drum 31 is provided with dischargepipe 32 adapt- 2 ed to be connected witha chimney or, stack, and the combustion chamber 30 is provided r with the usual fuel supply opening 33 which is provided with a door (not shown). The furnace is provided with an exterior casing (not shown) which surrounds and is spaced from the combustion chamber 30 and the heat radiator 32, and from which space formed between the casing and radiator the usual hot air pipes (not shown) radiate to convey heated air to the desired points, all of which is well known to and understood by those skilled in this art. c y

The invention provides for the introduction of air into the furnace in the communicating passage s between the combustion chamber 30 and the heat radiator 31, and in the present example this is accomplished by mounting a hot blast ring 10 between the combustion chamber 30 and the radiator 31, the central open portion of which ring forms the communicating passage therebetween. The lower wall of the ring 10 is provided with the annular flange 34 which fits into and is received and confined in a groove 35 around the open upper end of the combustion chamber 30. The upper or top wall of the ring 10 is formed with a groove 36 which receives a suitable depend ing flange 37 on the radiator 31. In this manner the hot blast ring 10 is mounted be tween and tightly joins the combustion chamber 30 and the heat radiator 31 the latter supported on and above the combusition chamber in communication therewith.

The air inlet 15 extends a distance radially from the hot blast ring and is connected with a conduit 38 by means of a suitable collar 39. The conduit 38 extends outwardly beyond the furnace casing (not shown) and is provided with any suitable door or the like (not shown) for controlling the amount of air admitted to the conduit.

In the operation of a furnace provided with the hot blast ring 10, the fuel is burned at the lower end of the furnace combustion chamber or dome 30 and the products of combustion, including the heavy smoke and gases, pass upwardly through the central opening of the ring 10 into the heat radiator 31 and from there pass outwardly through the pipe 32 to atmosphere. A draft or suction is created by the upward passage of the heated air and products of combustion, and as these heated products pass upwardly through the hot blast ring 10, air is drawn from the inner chamber 17 through the openings 22 and the ports 23 into and mixed with the hot gases passing through the central opening of the hot blast ring. Air enters the hot blast ring from the exterior of the furnace through the conduit 38 into the air inlet 15. A portion of the supply of exterior air is drawn from the inlet 15 through the opening 16 into the central space forming the communicating passage from the furnace combustion chamber 30 to the radiator 31, and a portion is drawn into the outer ring chamber 18 and is forced to pass therearound to the opening 21 in the wall 19, through which it enters into the inner ring chamber 17. The passage of the air through and around the outer chamber 18 which is maintained heated by the combustion chamber, results in a thorough preheating of the air before its entry into the inner ring chamber 17. After the heated air enters the inner chamber 17 it is drawn therefrom by the suction created by the furnace draft through the openings 22 and the discharge ports 23 in the inner ring wall 11, into the central space forming the passage between the furnace combustion chamher 30 and the radiator 31.

The openings 22 are of such an area and so located in the wall 11 with respect to the inner chamber 17, that they insure sufficient draft or suction acting on the air in the chamber 17 to draw and discharge the required amount of air from the chamber through the discharge ports 23.

The air circulation is clearly indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2.

The introduction into and mixing of heated air with its contained oxygen, with the hot smoke and gases as they pass from the furnace combustion chamber results in the ignition of the smoke and gases by the blame and heat from the combustion chamber and causes the smoke and gases to burn as they pass upwardly into the radiator 31. The burning of the smoke and gases in the radiator 31 materially increases the heat produced therein and substantially consumes the products of combustion heretofore wasted in the operation of such furnaces, with the result that the heat produced per unit of fuel is increased and the discharge of heavy smoke and gases from a furnace into the atmosphere is practically eliminated. By the use of the hot blast ring 10 in the illustrated xample, the smoke and gases from the combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber are burned as fuel in the furnace radiator 31 with the production of great heat, a body of flames from the burning smoke and gases being maintained in the radiator 31 around and above the combustion ring 10. The construction and arrangement of the conduit 38, air inlet 15, and opening 16 in the ring, is such that the burning smoke and gases may be readily observed from the exterior of a furnace.

The feature of the invention which provides for the preheating of the air before discharge and mixing with the smoke and gases in a furnace results in more rapid ignition and complete combustion of the Smoke and gases when mixed therewith in the presence of the heat and flames from the combustion of the fuel in the furnace. The construction and arrangement of chambers,

passagesand ports in'the hot blast ring-insures a steady flow and circulation or air therethrough n the proper quantities, and

permits the provision of a compact and efficient hot blast ring capable of application generally to heating apparatus.

Attention is directed to the fact that the ,useof tieword ring in the foregoing descriptionand in the appended claims is not intended by way of limitation, but is to be defined as meaning any shape or form of equivalent structure. a

It is evident that various changes, modifications and variations might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and hence I do not wish to limit the invention to the exact disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally" possible, what I claim is: i

l. In a furnace including a combustion chamber and heat radiator, a hot blast,

discharging into the passage between the combustion chamber and heat radiator.

2. A hot blast ring formed with an inner chamber having a series of discharge ports through the inner wall thereof, and an outer chamber surrounding and of less capacity 7 than said inner chamber, the: said ring provided with an air inlet from atmosphere extending therethrough and having a discharge opening in the inner wall of said ring, the said air inlet in communication withsaid outer chamber and closed from communication with said inner chamber, and the said outer chamber having a discharge port opening into said inner chamber a point in the hot blast ring removed from said air inlet.

3. A hot blast ring consisting of a hollow casing, a dividing wall in said casing and dividing the interior thereof into inner chamber and an outer chamber surrounding the same, the said dividing wall having a portion'thereof cut away to form openingtherethrough, an air intalre provided throughthe outer wall of said casing in line 1 with the opening formed in said dividing wall, walls extending from said dividing,

wall and closing said inner chamber from communication with saidair intake, andthe said inner chamber incommunication with said outer chamber through a port in said dividing wall at a point opposite the said air intake and in line therewith.

l. lnahot blast ring, an inner chamber,

an outer chamber of less capacity than said inner chamber and in communication therewith, and an atmospheric air passage extending through said ring and discharging into the central space thereof, thesaid pas age in communication with the outer chamber and closed from communication with the inner chamber of said ring.

5. A hot blast ring for furnaces consisting of a hollow casing, a dividing wall in said casing forming the interior thereof into an inner chamber and an outer chamber surrounding said inner chamber, with the inner chamberof greater capacity than said outer chamber,a transverse air passage extending through said ring from the exterior thereof to and discharging into the inner space of said ring, said transverse air passage in communication w th said outercha'mber and closed against communication with said inner chamber,a discharge passage through said dividing wall remote from said transverse air passage and placing said outer chamber in communication with said inner chamber, and the inner wall of said casing providedwith a series of'ports fordischarge of air from said inner chamber.

6. A hot blast ring formed with an inner chamber and an outer chamber substantially concentric therewith, the said outer chamber formed with an air 1nlet from atmosphere and in communication and d scharging into said inner chamber at a point removed from said air inlet, and the said inner chamber formed with a series of ports through the inner wall thereof, the said vports having greater capacity at-points in the ring adj acent the atmospheric air inlet and removed from the point of communication between the inner and outer chambers.v

7. A hot blast ring formed with concentric chambers therein, one of said chambers of greater capacity than the other thereof and the chamber of less capacity provided with an air inlet from atmosphere, the said chainbore in communication at a point in the ring remote from said atmospheric air inlet, and the chamber of greatest capacity formed with a series of discharge ports therearound,

the said ports of greater area adjacent the air inlet to the ring.

June 26, 1922.

' CARL sun. 

